Varun Aaron shines with the ball for Leicestershire amidst a heart-breaking loss to Derbyshire

Aaron claimed 4 for 31 in Leicestershire’s five-run loss to Derbyshire in the Royal London One-Day Cup.

Indian speedster Varun Aaron has once again grabbed the headlines for his stellar show in county cricket. On Friday (May 26), Aaron claimed 4 for 31 in Leicestershire’s agonizing five-run defeat to Derbyshire in a rain-curtailed Royal London One-Day Cup affair at the County Ground, Derby.

After being put into bat, Derbyshire rode on Billy Godleman’s 64 and Gary Wilson’s 49 to post 211/9 in a 33-over contest. In reply, Leicestershire managed to amass 206/7 as Matthew Critchley and Luis Reece claimed three wickets each for the hosts.

With this win, Derbyshire sealed the top spot on the North Group points table whereas Leicestershire are placed at No. 8. Leicestershire will now host Yorkshire on Sunday (May 27).

In the three List-A games thus far, Aaron has taken 6 wickets for Leicestershire while he has scalped 9 wickets at an average of 39.88 in three First-Class games earlier this month.

On the other hand, India fast bowler Ishant Sharma registered economical figures of 0 for 39 in 10 overs in Sussex’s 74-run defeat to Middlesex. None of Sussex bowlers barring Ishant put on a good show as Middlesex batsmen posted a mammoth total of 288/4 in 50 overs. Opener Paul Stirling scored 116, while fellow opener Nick Gubbins scored 86.

In reply, Sussex was bowled out for 214. Left-arm spinner Ravi Patel was the stand-out bowler for Middlesex, picking 4 for 58 in his 10 overs.

With this win, Middlesex clinched the second spot on the South Group points table whereas Sussex slipped to fifth.